Page 44 of The Triple Threat

“Bullshit. I know you too well, now spill it.”

Bronte blew out making her bangs blow in the breeze as she flopped down onto her stool.

“It’s just if I go to singles night and Jefferson is there, and he leaves with someone, I know it’s gonna hurt real bad.”

My head dropped back onto my neck and I gave a silent prayer, coupled with a few chosen curse words.

“What?” Bronte asked.

I levelled my gaze with hers. “Enough of the crap about you and Jefferson. It can’t happen.”

While I zipped up my jeans, Bronte stared at me wide-eyed like I’d just taken a crap on her beauty couch.

“I don’t get why you think it would be shit for me and Jefferson to be together,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Our parents. Your parents,” I declared. “They’ve all been friends for years. Can you imagine the size of the turd that would hit the fan? It would be epic, Bronte. Shit would be splattered to all four corners of Dayton Valley and maybe even as far as Middleton Ridge.”

A thudding started in my temple as I looked at Bronte, despair in my tone and pleading in my voice, only to see a huge damn grin on her face.

“Bronte, this isn’t funny.”

“Oh, but imagine Thanksgiving and Christmas, when its mine and Jefferson’s turn to host the party.” Her eyes twinkled as she hugged a towel to her chest. “Do you think Jefferson would call my mom and dad, Mom and Dad, or would I call them Darcy and Jim?”

“Neither,” I replied. “Because you are not getting together with Jefferson.”

“Well, I kinda need to point out, you can’t actually stop me.” Bronte gave me her most sugary smile and gently pulled at a strand of my hair. “Don’t be such a spoilsport anyway.”

“I thought you just wanted a quick roll in the hay with him – literally,” I said, trying a different tact. Hoping if she was only interested in a quick round of sex, I’d be able to dissuade her. “Not a full-on relationship.”

“Yes, but I kinda like the idea of being the second Mrs. Delaney. I mean, I know Hunter would spit feathers about it, but that boy needs a momma.”

My mouth dropped open, disbelieving what I was hearing. There could not be one brain cell in her head that thought the words it had just formed were sensible, valid or obtainable. Surely? Any minute now, my best friend would slap her thigh and shout, ‘just kidding’.

Taking a minute to gather myself, I smoothed down my shirt and popped my feet back into my flip flops. When I finally had my purse on my shoulder, I cleared my throat and looked up at Bronte.

“Okay,” I sighed. “I know you have to be joking about the being Hunter’s mom thing, so I’ll ignore it for now.”

“But I—”

I showed Bronte my palm, silencing her.

“No,” I replied evenly and with a smile. “I know you’re joking, so I’ll take the joke in the good faith it was offered. Please, don’t let me ever have to hear you say those words ever again. The thought is just—” I stopped, thinking I might gag at the thought of Bronte being Hunter’s step-mom.

Imagine it, him having to kiss her goodnight, or hug her and thank her for dinner or for the Christmas gifts that she and his dad bought him. What if spending more time with Bronte, gave Hunter time to see how adorable she was. Then he’d make a move and knowing Bronte, she’d be bored of Jefferson by then… shit, Jefferson would be heart broken and he and Hunter would never talk again.

“Crap,” I muttered and gave myself a little shake at my ridiculous mind ramblings. Mostly though I needed to whup my own ass for even caring. “Okay, I’m going home to get ready for tonight.”

“For your date.”

“I told you, it’s not a date.”

“What is it then?” Bronte asked not looking at me but messing with her phone instead.

“We’re just going to singles night together, company for each other. Plus, it’s Hunter’s apology for being a dick in the café on Sunday.”

“Who the hell goes to a singles night on a date?” Bronte asked, turning back to me. “That boy needs his pop to show him a thing or two when it comes to women.”

I really didn’t want to say it again, so I pulled her into a hug and turned for the door, pausing as I reached it.